Why can’t guys just play either 3-4 or 4-3? I understand being better at understanding one more than the other. Like with Gilmore not fitting in with zone but come on! Why so many one dimensional players all the time?
Some teams used to play man, zone, 4-3, etc with the same guys
I'll give you my novice answer but some here may correct it or elaborate more.
It has to do with the type of players used in both. You can play 4-3 with 3-4 type players or vice versa. So it's the type of players rather than how they line up.
Basically a 4-3 uses 4 Dt's and 3 LB's. A 3-4 uses 2 Dt's, 1 NT, 2 LB's and two LB/DE hybrids. 3-4 DT's tend to be bigger than the 4-3. That's just a basic layout but it can vary.
The responsibilities of each position are different as well. A 3-4 DT most likely will have two gap responsibilities which means he's blocking or holding an offensive lineman and making sure a running back doesn't try to squeeze by on the left or right side of him. A 4-3 DT more than likely will have one gap to worry about and may even try to split it to get pressure on the QB or to breakdown the running lane potential.
Btw, Gilmore does just fine in both man and zone.
Btw 2: The Patriots will run various types of defensive schemes, which change from week to week and try to find players that are flexible enough to fit in. Their guys are expected to play in all of their schemes.
Btw 3: If you're just watching a game try to figure out what scheme the Pats are using on a particular play. It's tough because they disguise it. If they have Brown, Shelton, Guy on the line and T.Flowers and HT on the edge are they in a 3-4 or a 5-2?
